17

THE END OF THE REVOLUTION.

(Mignet's History of the French Revolution.)

A.D. 1799.

BONAPARTE'S arrival excited the to enter into his constitutional enthusiasm of the moderate part of the nation; he received general congratulations, and was emulously sought after by all the different parties, who were equally anxious to gain him. The generals, the directors, the deputies, even the republicans of the Manège, waited upon him, and sounded him. They amused him with feasts and entertainments; he appeared grave, simple, observing, and not very eager; he already possessed the familiarity of a superior, and displayed involuntary habits of command. Notwithstanding his apparent want of eagerness, and the absence of overtures, it was manifest that he entertained ulterior designs without saying so, he allowed it to be divined; for, in order to accomplish a thing, it is necessary that it should be expected.

He could not rely upon the republicans of the Manège, who wished neither for a stroke of state policy, nor a dictator; and as to Sièyes, his apprehension that Bonaparte would be too ambitious

views, was not without foundation. But, through the importunity of common friends, an interview at length took place, which terminated in an alliance. On the 5th November (15th Brumaire) they arranged their plan of attack against the constitution of the year III. Sièyes undertook to prepare the councils by the commissions of inspectors, who had an unlimited confidence in him. Bonaparte was to gain over the generals and the different bodies of troops stationed at Paris, who displayed much enthusiasm and devotion for his person. They agreed to convoke an extraordinary meeting of the most moderate members of the councils; to lay before the councils a description of the public dangers; and, after exhibiting to them the menacing position of the Jacobins, to demand the removal of the legislative body to St. Cloud, and the appointment of General Bonaparte to the command of the armed force, as the only man who

then by the constitution, transfer the seat of the legislative body to St. Cloud, appoint Bonaparte to the command of the 17th military Svision, and instruct him to superintend the removal. Either the sa Srembe (S From the whole council was an accomsar mei ir neng de

püre of this manœuvre, or was struck by a real panic after so preopiate a meeting, and such Aaming speeches: however this ay be, it granted everything that the conspirators required.

V de ist vE DE Bonaparte waited impatiently TAKAL Baby naming in his house, in the street MontJISIDAs is a the it Flint, for the result of this disStyren he T Esconcerted cassion; he was surrounded by Tres But they three generals, by the commandant of idez zwi byes and not of the guard of the directory, Lefèvre, Cher persons schemes. On the and three regiments of cavalry, meng if the Si November which he was about to review. The members of the Ancients were The decree of the council of OTĚŠÍ 1 1 1LISTE TEDA by Ancients, which was passed at The Arcs dhered to the, eight o'clock, was brought to him Tulenes mi azred on their by a messenger of state at halfSESSEL DOLL SET 'dock, oder past. He received the congratulaDhe presidency of Lemercier, tions of those who formed his cortège, Crise Lára and Farges

e of the most infoetal consises à de vanti, presented * IN ART picture of the gülür strmace: they assured it, that the Jacobins were weing in crowds from all the departments that they wished to reestablish the revolutionary government, and that army would gain desclate the rable of the council had not the verge and the wisdom to prevent its return. Another conspinator Regnier de la Meurthe proposed that the Ancients, who were already giving way, should, of the power vested in

and the officers drew their swords in token of fidelity. He placed himself at their head, and they marched to the Tuileries, where he had no sooner arrived than he repaired to the bar of the council of Ancients, took the oath of fidelity, and named Lefevre, the commandant of the directorial guard, for his lieutenant.

This, however, was only the beginning of his success; for, although he was at the head of the military power, the authority of the directory and the legislative power of the councils still existed. In the contest which must infal

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libly ́ensue, it was not clear that and liberty. None but a fool would the grand, and until then victori- wish wantonly to lose the stake of ous, energy of the revolution the republic against royalty, after would not prevail. Sièyes and having supported it with some danger Roger-Ducos proceeded from the as well as credit." Nevertheless Luxemburg to the legislative and the importance which he assumed military camp of the Tuileries, and in his proclamations was a bad delivered in their resignation. | omen; and he also reproached Barras, Moulins, and Gohier, be- the directory with the situation of ing apprised, though at a late France in a most extraordinary hour, of what was passing, at- manner. What have you done,” tempted to use their authority, said he, "with that France which and secure the protection of their I left to you so brilliant? I left guard; but the latter having, you peace, I have found war: I through Bonaparte, received intel- left you victories, I find deligence of the decree of the feats: I left you the millions of Ancients, refused to obey them. Italy, and I find nothing, but Barras became discouraged, sent in spoliation and misery. What his resignation, and set out for his have you done with the hundred estate of Grosbois. The directory thousand Frenchmen whom was in fact dissolved; and there knew, all of them my companions was one antagonist less in the con- in glory? They are dead. test. The council of Five Hun- This state of things cannot last: dred and Bonaparte alone remain- before three years it will lead us ed in the field. to despotism." It was the first time during the last ten years that one man referred everything to himself, and demanded an account of the republic as of his own estate. One is grievously surprised at seeing a single individual brought forward by the revolution, thus introduce himself into the inheritance so laboriously acquired by a whole people.

I

The decree of the council of Ancients and the proclamations of Bonaparte were posted on the walls of Paris, the inhabitants of which experienced that agitation which always accompanies extraordinary events. The republicans felt, and not without reason, serious apprehensions for liberty. But when they manifested alarm as to the designs of Bonaparte, in whom they beheld a Cæsar, or a Cromwell, they received a reply in the words of the general: “Bad parts, wornout parts, unworthy of a man of sense, if not of an honest man. It would be sacrilegious to think of attempts against the representative Sièyes, who understood the government, in an age of intelligence | tactics of revolutions, proposed, in

On the 9th November [19th Brumaire] the members of the council repaired to St. Cloud. Thither also Sièyes and RogerDucos accompanied Bonaparte, with the view of supporting the designs of the conspirators.

order to secure the success of their | vote of thanks to the council of

Well, | Floréal] 11th May. The constitution! it is invoked by all factions, and it has been violated by all; it cannot be a means of safety to us, because it no longer possesses the respect of anybody: the constitution being violated, we must have another compact, and other guarantees." The council applauded the reproaches which Bonaparte addressed to it, and rose up as a sign of their approbation.